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From time to time we are fortunate to have contributors to the Darwin Dogs’ blog, as we like to look at things from a fresh pair of eyes. Our most recent contributor is Bernie the Boxer. Special thanks to him for this blog post, and his amazing ability to type it out without opposable thumbs.

Boots and Bee Photography by Brittany Graham

You love your dog and want him to be happy. He greets you at the door when you come home from work, tail wagging and eyes staring at you with adoration. He senses when you’re sad and even snuggles with you as you sit on the couch drowning your sorrows in a pint of ice cream. So is it any wonder that when you begin house hunting, you want to find a house he’ll love just as much as you do? But how do you go about finding the right home for your dog? Read on for tips on how to score the perfect home for you and your precious pooch.

Pet-Loving Realtors

Boots and Bee Photography – By Brittany Graham

When you want to find a home, think about hiring a realtor who’s a dog lover. Realtors who adore man’s best friend are more likely to take your dog into consideration when helping you find a home. Some realtors may even get sellers to agree to let your pet visit homes with you as you check out different houses. This way, you get your dog’s opinion on the home too!

Style of Home

Boots and Bee Photography – By Brittany Graham

Determine the style of home you want. Do you prefer a two story? This might be a wonderful type of home for dogs who are young and spry. But what if your dog is elderly? Older dogs may not be able to climb a lot of stairs because of joint pain. Tiny dogs like toy poodles may not have the ability to scamper up a flight of steps. Consider these factors before deciding on a style of home.

Your Canine Companion’s Size

Boots and Bee Photography – by Brittany Graham

Before you select a new home, consider your dog’s size. Larger breeds like golden retrievers and labradors need enough space to walk through rooms without knocking over your prized knickknacks. Trying to cram a super-sized dog into a one-bedroom home or condo might make your dog unhappy and uncomfortable. If you own a smaller dog, tiny homes probably won’t bother him at all. And don’t forget to consider the yard: small dogs won’t mind much if space is limited outside, but big dogs love expansive yards where they can romp and play.

Location of the Home

Brittany Graham Photography

Dogs are social animals that crave love, attention and companionship. You’re their entire world. So it isn’t surprising they don’t handle it well if you’re absent from the house most of the time. Dogs who are frequently left alone for extended periods of time develop separation anxiety. This leads to chronic barking, excessive chewing and other undesirable behaviors. Save you and your dog a boatload of heartache by choosing a home that isn’t too far away from your job. When you have a long commute back and forth to work, it takes time away from your furry friend.

If you still end up purchasing a home far away from work, enroll your dog in doggy day care or pay someone to pet sit him for a few hours.

Nearby Dog-Friendly Parks

Brittany Graham Photography

Do you long for a home your pet will adore? Consider buying a house near a dog park. Dog parks are amazing outdoor places where dogs run free, play and hang out with other dogs. Whether your pooch wants to meet some new furry friends or just lay out in the sun, dog parks are the perfect place to make it happen.

Getting Used to the New House

Brittany Graham Photography

Dogs love being the masters of their domains. So when you take a dog out of his usual territory, he may feel confused. Prevent this by letting him visit the house before you move in. Take him on a walk through the new neighborhood so he becomes accustomed to the sights, sounds and smells of his new domain. He’ll get the chance to see some of his new dog neighbors, and he won’t feel threatened by them.

Before your dog enters the house, take a towel from your old home and rub it against the walls and furniture of your new home. Familiar scents from the old house will make your canine feel more comfortable. Make sure you’ve tucked away any detergents, bleach, or other household cleaners you may have used to prepare the house for move-in—your pup might chew to ease the anxiety of his new environment, so keep anything toxic completely out of his reach.

As soon as your dog enters the house, let him explore the rooms. Show him where his dog bed and toys are located. And don’t forget to have his favorite blanket ready for him to snuggle against. Of course, make sure he knows where his water and food bowls are located as well.

Don’t just find the perfect house for the humans in your family. Canine family members need to approve of the new house too. If you take the time to choose a home that fits the needs of your furry baby, he will grow to love the new house as much as you do!

It matters not what one is born, but what they grow to be.
- Albus Dumbledore

I recently wrote a post on why I love (accurate) breed profiling. I briefly mentioned pitties (A.K.A., pit bulls), but didn’t really go into depth about them as a specific “breed” of dog. Right now pit bulls are a polarizing breed. Lovers or fighters? Vicious or victims?

As I’ve previously written, I’m all for accurate breed descriptions, or profiling. Name things accurately. Describe things correctly. As Dumbledore pointed out to Harry Potter, “Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.” Sage words.

Polarizing things, such as pitties, puts them in angel or devil categories, each side slinging skewed statistics and unrealistic qualities, towards the other:

Their jaws lock on their victims/There’s no such thing as an aggressive pittie

The pit bull terrier is the breed of choice for criminals./Pit bulls are the best family dogs.

Pit bulls will readily fight other dogs/Pit bulls are the most social dogs out there

Who’s right? The problem lies within the fact that we only have two choices within to categorize pits: angel or devil.

In 1820, Sir Walter Scott wrote his famous Ivanhoe, a medieval romance set in 12th century England. One of Ivanhoe’s characters that doesn’t get a lot of credit is Isaac of York, a Jew. In 12th century England, where the story is set, Jews were basically a pariah. Hated and maligned, and apparently quite capable of witchcraft against Gentiles, according to the ludicrous thinking of the period. They had mostly, if not always, been portrayed in western fiction as evil, base and cowardly. After a bit of time, a small, select group of people began to loathe the treatment of Jews in literature, and portrayed them to be enlightened people, who were innocent beyond reproach (even Rebecca in Ivanhoe was treated as a pinnacle of beauty and innocence). Obviously neither description of Jews was accurate – any large group of people cannot possibly be all good or bad.

Then comes Isaac. Sir Walter Scott did something amazing when he created the character of Isaac: he allowed Isaac to be base and elevated. Kind and cruel. Able to be callous one moment, and show extreme tenderness the next. In other words, Scott made him real. To my recollection, this was the first time in history that Western culture had portrayed someone Jewish as, well, neither angel nor devil. He was merely human. He was just like other humans. And we judge humans on a case-by-case basis, not by gender, by ethnicity, or by…well, anything other than who the individual is.

Consider Isaac when debates about pit bulls come up. The best thing we can do for pitties as a “breed” is to allow them to land somewhere between angel and devil, just like any other breed of dog living being. Pitties are not perfect. Please don’t put that label, so full of pressure, on them. Pitties are dogs, no more, no less. Just like every other dog, they have their quirks, and they have their amazing redeeming qualities. Most importantly, they are individuals, not to be defined as a one-size-fits-all breed standard.

I am admittedly a pittie fan. Being a trainer, I am familiar with these dogs. I’d say roughly 60% of my clients own pitties/pittie mixes, however, I have never been bit by one. They can be very timid sometimes, and occasionally very submissive, but stand-offish is not a word for them. Sometimes shy, sometimes boisterous. Always a riot, though. Typically, they’re the type of dog who’d apologize for apologizing too much.

I’ve worked with a few clients who had dog-reactive pit bulls, but then again, I’ve had 4 pugs in the last week who were dog reactive. Pitties are not suitable for every situation, but then, no dog is. But I’d confidently say they’re appropriate for most situations. I will not lie and say they are without fault; believe me, they can have faults, just like every other dog. But they have heart. They have loyalty. They seem to be willing to try to do what ever you want them to do. They are a dog. I personally do not own one because, unfortunately, that would be illegal in my home city of Lakewood. But hopefully I will be able to in the near future. I’ve kinda developed a crush on pitties, you see.

This is why Darwin Dogs is so vocal about ending breed specific legislation (“BSL” or “Breed Bans”), and are aggressively pursuing an end to them.. As our mission statement proclaims, we are dedicated to peacefully and logically examining the necessity of Breed Specific Legislation in various cities, starting with our hometown of Lakewood, Ohio.

So instead of serving the Kool-aid of “Perfect Pitties” or the poison contained in the BSL’s, it’s time to give the victims of the BSL laws what they deserve: the opportunity to be looked upon with all their glorious faults and beauty. In other words, just a regular dog. Perfectly imperfect.

Please help us in our fight against stereotypes, such as BSL. For more information about how you can help, please check out All Breeds Lakewood, which is comprised of a handful of Lakewood citizens who have banded together to end breed discrimination and promote dog safety in our city.

The man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection.

– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

My Sparta. The most beautiful, obedient dog I’ve ever worked with. Over 100 lbs. of pure physical poetry. She’s the type of dog who we can leave the Thanksgiving turkey out on the counter right above where she’s sleeping, and she’ll leave it alone (we do). She will follow any command, no matter how scary, because she trusts us (she does). In short, she is practically a machine when it comes to her obedience. It’s sorta creepy, now that I think of it. Sounds like the perfect dog, right? Except she has one big problem. As my husband likes to say, she reads too much Guns and Ammo.

Sparta is a Shepherd/Rottie mix (not a guess, but verified truth), with emphasis on the Shepherd. Ah, suddenly it clicks why she’s so obedient. Shepherds have been used for many years for a myriad of reasons: search and rescue, guide dogs, drug dogs, war, peace, agility and everything in between. I truly believe that while they may not be the smartest dog (looking at you Border Collies and Poodles), they are probably the most willing to accept whatever training you wish.

However, I’m a firm believer in breed profiling. It’s called “breed standard” for a reason. Imagine going into a car dealership and saying I need a car, but having no idea what you want. Mini-van, Corvette, Jeep? What will you be using this car for? If you don’t know what you want, you won’t know what you’re getting. Pound puppies can follow some form of breed standard as well. If you adopt a Pit/Aussie mix, prepare for a lot of enthusiastic cuddling. A Basset/Poodle? Probably a lot of sedentary mind games, like chess. Not always the case, but a good general rule. Of course there are Frankendogs. The dogs that you have no idea what breed(s) they can be. Simply find out who they are, rather than focusing on what they are. (Hint: here’s an article that can help with that.)

Back to Sparta. She’s predominantly Shepherd, and boy does she show it. Obedient, trusting…every command I give her, I feel as if her response is Sir, yes sir! No, I didn’t make her that way; she just is. The problem? Shepherds were originally bred to guard livestock (not manage it….that’s you, Border Collies). She has it ingrained in her DNA to guard her pack, flock, family – whatever you want to call it. And she will do it with her life.

There’s an old joke about Shepherds: How many Shepherds does it take to change a light bulb? First you secure the perimeter. That is exactly who my Sparta is. That can make living with her in a very dense population a bit of a challenge. If a zombie apocalypse were ever to happen, she’s the dog you want. However, a walk through Downtown Mayberry? Yeah, that’s some Piloting that needs to happen there. Yes, it can be done, and I do it, but I realize that I will be Piloting her and answering her questions very frequently.

Is that a threat? No, Sparta. Should we reinforce our rearguard? No, Sparta.

I’m not angry with her, I’m never punishing her. I’m merely answering her (legitimate) questions. However, I know my limitations, as well as hers.

I recently (foolishly?) decided to completely renovate my bathroom. My family was out of town for about a week, and I thought it to be the perfect time to do it. However, I needed some help. I called a friend of our family, Sam, who generously came over every day to help me tear apart the bathroom, put in a new sub-floor, new tile, new vanity, new everything. Obviously, very involved, and a lot of noise to go with the project. Sparta happens to not like Sam. I don’t care if she’s best friends with him or not. She’s allowed to ask the question:

Can I kill him?No, Sparta. Not today.Okay, then. I’ll be in the mudroom if you need me to kill him.You enjoy yourself there, Sparta. And put down the Guns and Ammo magazine. How about some Vanity Fair mags for a bit?

Problem is, she will be asking that question frequently. Sometimes Sam might need to go downstairs by himself. Sometimes he might need to come in and out of the house while cutting tile. In Sparta’s mind, each instance is always a separate question. And yes, she will immediately accept the answer, but only if I give it. And right there is our limitation. What if Sam runs downstairs, just one time, and I don’t notice, and don’t answer her question? Sparta would do what comes naturally to her: defend the flock.

So instead of constantly being on alert for Sparta, she has spent a relaxing week at my mother’s house. She got to play with her “cousins”, Louie and Kiwi. More importantly, she had little to no questions to ask while she was there (thanks, Mom!). When she comes back today, she will notice that there is a new bathroom. Odds are, she’ll want to check it out to make sure there are no threats to our family in there (Sir, no Sir!) and all will be right with our little pack.

A German Shepherd and Dean Winchester in a ’67 black Chevy Impala. It’s on my Christmas list every year.

One thing you may not know about me is that I’m passionate about animal rights. You may be asking yourself what the purpose of this letter is. Well, to put it bluntly, I’m truly hoping you can convince me that you are passionate about animal rights as well.

I’m aware that you run “Pick of the Litter” pet store in South Park Mall in Strongsville, Ohio. Let’s just say that the results of a search for reviews of your establishment have been less than stellar. Reports of sick animals. Stories of puppies stuffed into fish tanks. And of course, the allegations that your animals are coming from puppy mills. Knowing how the internet can sometimes be more of a lynch mob than a school of thought and logic, I think it’s you deserve to get a fair shake, and have your say.

So I ask you:

Why the fish tanks? With pine chips?

Yeah, I know puppies can be destructive little twerps sometimes. As soon as you clean up a mess from them, they are off to make another. And given your choice of (ahem) profession, I can see why you would need to keep them contained.

In fish tanks? On pine chips?

Two dogs, one fish tank.

Where are these guys supposed to run? Play? Not inhale sawdust? I understand that you are in the business of selling dogs for profit, but is the most profitable way to sell them is to stuff them in fish tanks? I’m aware that other puppy mill brokers pet shops such as yours (ahem: Petland) need to keep track of their inventory puppies, and that it’s better than the wire cages that Petland utilizes….

But that’s like saying the guy on the left is cuter.

Inhaled and ingested wood chips, small, confining fish tanks for puppies? Seriously, you can do better.

…and that’s not a challenge.

What are your responses to the allegations that your dogs lack fresh water and adequate health care?

According to Lisa*, who purchased a pup, the puppies are unable to use the hamster water bottles placed in all the cages. Luckily she is a veterinary technician, because her puppy almost died from lack of care given by Pick of the Litter:

I am a registered veterinary technician so I had fluids on hand I gave him. I just remember him being very lethargic and dehydrated. As soon as I gave him fluids and some food he perked up. And then I realized as I was trying to give him water in a bowl he was just putting his mouth in the bowl but he didn’t understand he had to lick. He loved licking my hands though so I started putting my hand in the bowl for him and that is the only way he would drink any water for over a week until he figured it out. So since I couldn’t be home 24/7 I would supplement him with the fluids. All you have to really do is go in there and look at the gums on the dogs and if they feel tacky or if you pull on there[sic] skin and it doesn’t go right back they are dehydrated. My dog had both of these signs.

Unfortunately, this lack of concern does not sound like the actions of a person who has an animal’s best interests at heart. There have been numerous stories of peoples’ contracts with your business being voided because they took their puppies to a vet other than your own personal vet.

Consider the story of John & Cindy Yakim who purchased a puppy from Pick of the Litter in 2013:

I didn’t check the background of this pet store at all. First mistake. Within the first 24 hours she was dying do [sic] to pneumonia. They told us at the store to bring her back and a portion of her purchase price could go towards another dog. Of course we didn’t do that and took her to our own vet. Some $4000.00 later she got well. The store told us as soon as we took her to are own vet any contract was on null and void. I love my dog very much but feel I would rescue one from a shelter all though if I didn’t purchase her she would have been left for dead and no records would show how many puppies die in there[sic] care. I also feel she was not the breed that they told us she was. The callous nature of the sales and facility should have been my first deterrent. The girl’s name was Diane and was dating the owner at the time. They wanted us to bring her in and they would take her to there [sic] vet. Never once did they give a name. She was close to dying at our vets and once they heard that the deal was off ( in there [sic] words). If any paperwork from our vet would help your cause I could get. We are not opposed of using our name. I have heard almost the same story regarding this store. I am personally sad they are still open.

Who is this “personal vet”, and why are the the “health records” you provide from said vet (according to at least 3 testimonials I’ve received so far) merely some scribbles on a note card, if they even exist at all? If your standards are high, then why would a second opinion from a new dog owner’s vet be of concern to you? Are you unable to stand by your puppies’ health? Because the list of illnesses and congenital defects found in the puppies you sell are staggering:

- ear infections

- giardia

- patellar luxation (knee problems that require surgery)

- parasites

- heartworm

- pneumonia

…and the list goes on. It would seem that any diseases that are common in puppy mills, your puppies seem to get. Which brings me to my final question:

Where do you get your puppies from?

The answers I’m receiving from previous customers and even some of your own friends and acquaintances are truly disturbing

I interviewed Cathy*, a former friend of yours. She had initially defended you (on the Darwin Dogs’ Facebook page) from the allegations made against you. She soon realized the awful truth. Here’s what she had to say only one day later:

I have know Tom for years. I believe he once had compassion and truly tried and wanted to help animals. Last night I argued with numerous people on sight defending him. Now I have never supported the aquarium “cages” it not healthy in my opinion. But long story short after defending the man I knew who truly had a heart of gold I reached out to a few people who have close contact with him. I myself haven’t seen him in at least 4-5 years. Today I was given confirmation he DOES in fact get his dogs from Puppy Mills. He has a broker who obtains them from the mills. He said everyone does it. He claims to have local breeders which is a blatant lie. Please understand that this was devastating news for me to hear. I trusted him, I believed in him and I defended him. But today my respect ended. Today I learned he has become a money hungry monster seeking fortune at the expense of these helpless defenseless dogs. … So to get confirmation that Tom is in fact utilizing Mill Puppies to stock his store. It’s inexcusable! I am extremely sorry I defended him last night. I’m extremely sorry to now know he in fact is using Mills. Thank you for doing what you do. Awareness makes a difference!!! Like the awareness of a man I respected is now an enemy to me. Again my apologies for my defending him. But the sources and information today come from people close to him that are well aware of his doings. I hope the protest is wonderful and raises questions for many and changes are made. Thank you.

There’s a pretty slippery slope when it comes to selling animals. For a lot of unwary and unsuspecting soon-to-be pet owners, it can be difficult to determine if a pet you’re considering purchasing is from a puppy mill or from a reputable breeder. In short, some pretty damning evidence and testimony has been uncovered regarding your business practices and the inhumane treatment of your “stock”, or as we refer to them: pets, animals, living beings. We await your response, Tom Collins.UPDATE - On January 2, 2017 we started receiving some messages from supporters of yours, including the following. Please explain this, Tom.

It’s okay, he’s “rescuing” them from puppy mills. And by “rescuing” he means “brokering”. Thanks for the clarification, Lynnette!

On Sunday, January 8 from 12-3 we will be protesting against Tom Collins and Petland for their animal rights violations. Please join us on Sunday, January 8, 2017 for a peaceful demonstration against such practices as listed above. Attendees are encouraged to wear animal rights clothing, and carry signs indicating their disgust and revolution of such blatant animal rights abuses. For more information, please visit our Facebook events page. Thank you.

Fanaticism comes from any form of chosen blindness accompanying the pursuit of a single dogma. - John Berger

I was with a friend and her friend the other day, and we (of course) started talking about dogs. My friend’s friend, who we will call Donna, was talking about a dog she has. Or rather, about the judgment she receives from many different sources about her even owning a dog. I don’t know Donna well, and have only met her twice, so I instinctively braced myself for the barrage of atrocities she must be visiting upon said dog. With anger already rising, I asked her why she shouldn’t own a dog.

“Because I work”, was her reply.

I thought I didn’t hear her correctly. I verified this answer. Yes, she was being judged for not being a stay-at-home dog mom.

Now, let’s get a little bit more in-depth. Certainly that couldn’t be the end of it. Perhaps she was in a position, say such as a nurse or fireman, who wasn’t home for extended hours during the day, and hadn’t made proper arrangements for the dog’s care during those hours.

Nope. Bankers hours. She owns an older, very low energy dog, who she happens to leave home alone while she works during the day.

I see this type of judgment much more than I care to. Someone isn’t able to give all the luxuries to their pet that others can. Such as having a someone home most of the day. Being able to afford a more expensive, premium brand of food. Using a low-cost clinic rather than the up-town vet. Perhaps we need to go over a few things here. Some uncomfortable truths.

1. Your world can’t revolve around your dog.

Sure, it would be lovely if you were able to stay home and cater to your dog’s every whim. I know I would have a blast with 4 walks a day, 2 sessions of agility and 1 marathon grooming session every day.

or Shepherd, or Akita…

But the reality is I work. Bigger reality is that part of the money I earn by working goes for the care of my dog. In other words, if I am unable to work, my dog is unable to eat, go to the vet, etc. I’m the first to admit that due to the hours I work, and my ability to make my own schedule, I have enormous flexibility with my pets’ care. Other don’t. They are doing the best they can with what they have. So when one of my clients nervously admits that their dog is crated for 8-9 hours a day while they work, I say “Good for you!”. Not because of the length of time their dog is crated, but because that dog isn’t in a shelter, kennel, or worse. They are patiently waiting to be spoiled rotten when their owner comes home after a long day of work, ready to give hugs and kisses to them to ease the stress of their human’s day. Dogs still love their owner, and aren’t angry. Instead, they are grateful for what they have: a home, a human, food, shelter, and above all, love.

2. A good home isn’t about income, fenced in yard, or how clean your house is.

I am the proud parent of two human children, two cats, and two dogs. My human children I was allowed to have and raise without any input from anyone. As long as I didn’t neglect nor abuse them, people just roll their eyes when you do/don’t allow too much/too little screen time. When you do/don’t feed organic food. When you do/don’t have viola lessons 2x week per kid.

The reality is that we are much more judgment about who is allowed to have a pet. Which is ridiculous.

According to the SPCA, “Each year, approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized (1.2 million dogs and 1.4 million cats).”

Let me repeat that number for you: 2.7 million animals are euthanized

And you’re worried that I don’t have a fenced-in yard? That the dog will be home alone for too long during the day? What that translates to is a dog is better off dead than in a home where he will be crated 8 hours a day. Maybe not Rex that’s currently up for adoption, but Rex is taking up a spot that Cooper needs. See, Cooper is scheduled to be euthanized tomorrow due to overcrowding at a local shelter. You can neither create nor destroy matter, which means we can not just will another open kennel in a shelter. There’s only so much room on the Ark, and not everyone is going to make it. Cooper won’t make it because Rex still hasn’t found the perfect home.

Some disillusionment needs to happen. There is no such thing as a perfect home. Even if there were, we don’t have time to find the perfect home. There are too many animals dying. We can’t wait to adopt animals out to the perfect home; we are doing triage. And the longer Rex sits waiting for that mythical “perfect home” the more dogs will die as a result.

In order for a home to be perfect, there has to be love, and an ability to care for an animal, which means food, shelter, water and exercise. So Agatha, the potential adopter is 83 years old ad wants to adopt a 1-year old mixed breed named Finn. Yes. Most likely Agatha will be dead before Finn is even 8 years old, but guess what? Finn will be dead by this time next week if she doesn’t adopt him. Even in the worst case scenario, where after Agatha has gone and nobody steps up to take Finn, who is subsequently euthanized, Finn will have had a great life. Shorter than it should have been, but so much longer and fulfilling than one week at a shelter before being euthanized. Agatha has also opened up a cage for another dog by adopting Finn.

And Finn helped Agatha live longer, more independently. It’s a virtuous cycle. Funny how love works.

– Brittany Graham Photography

3. That’s the wrong breed of dog for you.

Nobody has ever told me that my children are the wrong breed for me. That my daughter has too much Viking-Finnish blood from her father for me to handle. Or that since my son’s background is completely unknown (as he’s adopted), I shouldn’t take a risk on him.

Why do we do that with dogs?

I thought we had come to a point in our society where we stopped looking at what a person is, but rather who that person is. We’re not perfect, but we’re getting there, I guess. Slower than I like, but we’re picking up speed. It’s a beautiful thing to watch, too. From this:

Ruby Bridges, entering William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans on November 14, 1960 with armed guards.

To this:

I really don’t care if you want him impeached or if you want him for a third term; our first black president was born 1 year after little Ruby bravely stood up to end segregation.

We are growing as a society to look past ethnicity…to even embrace our differences in culture, religion and gender. But somehow that ends when it comes to adopting out a dog.

We look at what a dog is (boxer, pittie/chihuahua) rather than who a dog is (friendly/shy/in-between). When we judge a dog by its breed, rather than its character, we all lose. Dogs languish in cages because Akitas are hard to handle (maybe… if you’re talking about handling all that fur…). Pitties are aggressive (about as aggressive as a human…meaning they are each unique but vastly non-hostile). Mastiffs drool (okay, got me there *shudder*).

If I can handle my little Viking child, let’s at least give the family of four a chance to pick out their own dog regardless of breed, and respect that they probably know more about their situation in life and ability to care for a dog than you do. By all means, give any facts or information you have on the individual dog to the family, or perhaps known health issues (prevalence of hip dysplasia, etc) but let them process the information and make a decision.

Boots and Bee Photography

So back to my acquaintance, Donna, and the horrible, wretched life she is imposing by leaving her dog home alone for 8-9 hours per day, as well as all of you who actually work for a living: You’re doing just fine. You’re doing the best you can with what you’ve got, and you should never apologize for it, nor should you be made to feel like a villain. Donna, you are an incredible mother to your dog. The best dog mom or “dog-ma” there is, just like all of us who are working with what we’ve been given. And nailing it.

Confession: I’ve always been afraid of small dogs. Not necessarily afraid of them…more like afraid to be around them. Or more importantly, on top of them. I’m about as graceful as a giraffe on roller skates, so the little ones always put me on edge a bit. I knew deep down that they were just like every other dog, and I could see how they responded just as quickly to a bit of Piloting as the large dogs did, but still, they looked so…delicate. Even if I were working with a dog deemed “aggressive“, if it was a Chihuahua running up to me Cujo-style, it instantly put me on edge, more so than even a Rottie or other large dog.

Then a couple of years ago it became more and more apparent that I needed a “bait” dog. A dog that could help me out with the dog-reactive dogs. It had to be a dog that was friendly, but aloof unless given permission to be pet. A dog who wasn’t dog reactive, and would trust me completely. The dog needed to be intelligent, healthy, and above all, non-threatening in looks. Enter all 5 lbs. of Orion.

I hear you have a job opening?

Growing up I did indeed have a small-ish dog named Pebbles. She was a 20-ish lb Aussie mix we got from a shelter when I was in preschool. But there’s a difference between a small-ish dog and a tiny dog. Or is there? And so I present:

The Little Things That Make Little Dogs Great.

1) They can go anywhere with you. Easily.

Sparta desperately trying to fit into the mudroom she loves so much.

As I discovered after trading in a minivan for an Elantra, size can indeed matter…and bigger is not necessarily better. While all 100 lbs. of Sparta fit nicely in my van, the same doesn’t hold true for my new car. Not so much now. Actually, Sparta doesn’t fit anywhere nicely. A small dog doesn’t have the space problems that a larger dog can. Yes, I know what you’re going to say: a Great Dane is a better apartment dog than a Jack Russel (and you’re right), but if your floor plan only has 700 square feet, you’re taking a pretty big chunk out that with a Dane. Any dog who is given the appropriate amount of exercise is good in an apartment. Unfortunately, you can’t exercise the size out of a large dog.

2) They aren’t big eaters.

They’re really only about a mouthful. Wait….that’s not what I mean.

The cost of feeding a small dog is drastically less than a larger dog. For example, Orion eats between 1/4 – 1/2 cup of food per day, depending on how hard we hike. Sparta, on the other hand, eats anywhere between 5-7 cups per day. A Mastiff can eat up to 10 cups per day. The cost of keeping a smaller dog is significantly less.

3) People aren’t as easily spooked by a small dog.

Awwwww….he’s so cute!

Now, if you’ve been around dogs enough, you know very well that the little Yorkie is just as likely to bite you as the German Shepherd, but a lot of people don’t see it that way. They see small dog, they automatically think of it as a friendly happy puppy. So much that landlords typically don’t discriminate against any small dogs. Ergo, it’s easier to get an apartment that allows dogs.

4) It’s easy(ish) to travel with a small dog.

I’ll bet I could fit him in there….easily

On a recent flight to Austin, someone brought a small schnauzer on board the plane in a carry-on. The little darling easily fit on is owner’s lap for the entire duration of the flight instead of being regulated to the cargo hold.

5) Life span.

Smaller dogs live longer than larger dogs. Orion’s projected life expectancy is 13-15 years. Sparta’s is about 10-12. Sad but true.

6) No counter surfing.

Guess which one of us can reach the counter? Brittany Graham Photography

I’m all about training your dogs, but isn’t it nice when an issue isn’t even on your radar? Sparta had to be trained to leave things on the counter alone. Orion thinks the counter is Mt. Everest.

7) Eliminating the negative.

Eric, age 8, on poop patrol

Ever clean up after a 100 lb dog? Exactly.

8) Easier to manage.

Size never takes the place of training, but when dealing with difficult dogs, obviously a smaller dog is easier from a safety standpoint.

Okay, a dog who is behaving aggressively needs to have the situation addressed, no matter the size. But let’s face it: if tiny little Fifi the toy poodle decides she wants a piece of the mailman walking by, odds are she isn’t strong enough to literally drag you across oncoming traffic to get to him.

9) Portable.

This is where Orion hangs out in the car. Passenger side on the floor. His little den.

When Darwin was a senior, I had a tremendously difficult time transporting him. Getting him into the car turned into an ordeal simply because of his size. Smaller dogs are so much easier to care for as they age, requiring less muscle. Similarly, on a hike, if Sparta gets tired, we have to stop and rest. Orion, on the other hand, is easily portable. Not that I’ve ever seen Orion get tired.

10) They’re dogs.

My ,majestic Papillon.

I mean, isn’t that what it all boils down to? Dog is a dog is a dog is a dog. They’re just like every other dog.

Sure I’ve stepped on Orion and tripped over him, but not very often. Orion is a lot tougher than he looks: he has chased deer away from us, he has caught many a chipmunk in my yard, and he has remained courageous when helping me rehabilitate a dog-reactive dog who outweighs him by 90+ lbs. I do indeed wrestle with him. He hikes with me for miles and miles, never tiring. He has mettle. He truly is a mascot for Darwin Dogs.

Treating a dog like a dog. What a novel concept! I treat Orion just like Sparta, and guess what: both are well-adjusted, wonderful, polite dogs. Small dog syndrome is indeed a real thing, but it’s something that we humans have created in our small dogs by treating them differently. We don’t cipher out humans based on size. Danika is roughly 12 inches shorter than me (I’m 6ft tall)… but if you test our mettle, it’s neck-and-neck. She and I are capable of doing the same things. Our clients don’t say they prefer me because I’m bigger than Danika. I see people in shelters a lot looking for a new dog, but eliminating a certain dog from the running because they’re “too small” or a “sissy dog”. Usually it’s a man, and usually I stand right next to them, look down towards them, and ask if that makes them a sissy man in comparison to me. They usually turn red and walk away.

I am a great believer in found families and I’m not a great believer in blood.

Joss Whedon

A few weeks ago I was chatting online with a friend of mine. He wanted to know what I thought about a certain “breed”of designer dog. His wife wanted one for the family, and she had fallen in love with a friend’s new puppy, and they wanted one, too. He told me that the puppy was from a well-respected “breeder”. They got the information on a breeder website….as in, “We breed schoodles, morkies and shih-poos…”. As soon as I saw that, flags went up. This wasn’t a breeder – this was a puppy mill.

I tried to explain to him that respectable breeders didn’t advertise online. Nor did they specialize in more than one breed, let alone claim to be breeders of dogs that aren’t even a breed. Unfortunately, it all fell on deaf ears. They proceeded to purchase a puppy. I don’t believe they even set foot in a shelter. Rather than rescuing a new family member, they attempted to purchase a designer label. But at what cost?

Puppy Mills

We all know the horror behind-the-scenes of a puppy mill. We’ve seen the numerous dogs who were rescued. I’ve worked with dogs who were saved from years spent in a tiny 2′x2′ crate, giving birth to litter after litter in squalid conditions. These dogs are no more than livestock, there as a commodity, conditions be damned. Each one of those viable puppies is worth between $800-$1000. Unfortunately, those chasing after the supposed prestige that comes with having a purebred dog usually don’t want to pay purebred prices. So they buy a knockoff. Unfortunately, just like knockoff Prada, someone always pays the price, usually behind the scenes. Child labor in sweatshops or abused and neglected animals. Both victims of the “designer” label.

If you buy from a real breeder, you should feel as if you are applying for the CIA. Background checks may be involved. These are their lives’ work! A breeder’s dogs are more like a family dog/work of art/live’s mission all rolled into one. They will never let ou pick a dog from their litter – they interview you to find out which one of their puppies’ personalities will fit best in your household. In other words, they have dogs, not investments. They aren’t a money making device! Breeders typically don’t breed their dogs more than a handful of times in the dogs entire life! According to Animal Rescue Corps., dogs in a mill have a much different schedule:

“Females are bred repeatedly, usually twice a year, every year, until they can no longer produce puppies. This is incredibly stressful on their bodies but they are viewed as moneymaking machines, as disposable property, not as individuals with inherent worth. Female dogs are commonly bred before it is safe to do so because the earlier they start, the more puppies they will produce in a lifetime. Puppy mill breeding dogs are often given hormones and steroids to try and increase the number of puppies they produce. These drugs can cause extreme pain and serious side effects – all in an attempt to increase the number of puppies for profit.”

But at least you got your cute puppy.

Designer Puppies

I just got a new niece. Her mother is Chinese, and her father is a mix of Finnish and Irish. The baby is beautiful. However, I am intelligent enough to know that she is one of a kind. I can’t recreate her, no matter how hard I try, even with parents of the same ancestry. She will always be unique, from her looks to her personality. My own children don’t even look like they’re related to each other, and their personalities are about as polar as they can be.

River and Eric. Or as my husband and I call them, Machete and The Professor.

So why are you trying to recreate your neighbor’s adorable puppy, who happens to be a something-poo? Your inability to realize that you can’t recreate a living being is disturbing to me. I can understand having a type…. I personally prefer Am-Staffs (or pitties). I also love Shepherds.

Yes, Orion. Papillons too.

But here’s the thing: I can rattle off why I love those breeds: I love how fun-loving and goofy pitties are. How they are desperate to have a rollicking good time and want nothing more than a good snuggle, followed by more fun. I love how Shepherds are always so desperate to learn something new, and how absurdly stoic they can be. I love how Papillions are such lively little creatures who are really too big on the inside for those tiny little bodies. I love how they are just as rugged of a dog as a Coonhound or a Lab. I understand that each dog in a specific breed will always have its own personality, it generally falls within a certain area. If you’re going with a purebred, finding out breed standard for that specific breed is a very good start to having a wonderful companion rather than a chore, or even worse, an owner surrender to the local shelter.

In other words, I love these dogs based on more than how I think they look. When I asked my friend why they were heading towards the designer “breed” they had in mind, the response was, “he’s cute”. Seriously, they’re basing living the next 10-15 years with a dog on nothing more than “he’s cute”. Temperament is merely an afterthought. As is exercise requirements and how much Piloting the dog will need. It is imperative to come up with a list of wants vs. needs when choosing a new dog, whether it be from a shelter or a breeder!

Remember that a mutt (which is what your designer dog is) is a dog that can not be reliably bred to have a certain standard. In other words, if I were breeding Golden Retrievers, I can with a high degree of certainty state that the next litter will contain pups who will grow to be a certain size, with a very predictable temperament (fun, easy going, eager to please, and friendly). Same with Poodles: I can reliably breed very intelligent and active dogs of a certain “look” who, while easy to train, want to know why they should be listening to you and not following their own orders. (For that reason, I generally steer families with small children away from poodles.) Now, let’s breed a Golden and a Poodle together. What do you get? Just about any mix of all these traits. Anywhere from a dog who looks exactly like a Golden but acts just like a Poodle (and vice versa), to a complete blending of the two looks and temperaments. In other words, a mutt.

Mutts are awesome, but just like every other dog, they must be judged on an individual basis before you decide to buy/adopt. Judge the dog on who they are, not what they appear to be.

You Blew Your Chance to Save A Life

Seriously, Robin. Don’t be a douche.

Let’s not forget the biggest reason to adopt rather than shop. Or rather the 2.7 million reasons to adopt. That’s the number of dogs and cats euthanized each year. Yeah, sure, you can argue that you can only rescue one,and what’s “one” in the face of such a large number?

“Just one” is the most important number this little guy can think of. He hopes it’s his, because as a pittie, he only has a 1/600 chance of making it alive out any shelter.

To be truthful, I had high hopes of convincing my friend not to shop for a puppy, especially not from a place that hit every single hallmark for being a puppy mill. I’d like to say this hasn’t changed how I view my friend, but there are only so many matted, filthy dogs I can help rehabilitate before it becomes personal. Only so many dogs I can work with who are afraid of everything, who’ve never been outside their breeding box in the 2, 3 or even 8 years they’ve been on this planet, before I become judgmental and angry, even with longtime friends. There’s a finite number to the dogs I can say goodbye to, and take them for their last long walk and few moments of fetch, before their time is up before it gets personal.

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.
- Ben Franklin

So you’ve decided to add a pet to the family. You’ve determined that adopting is the best way to go. Now what? Shelter? APL? What do you do? First come up with your list of wants vs. needs. Ever walk into a car dealership to buy a car, but have no idea what you want? Manual, stick? SUV or sedan? Nope? Didn’t think so. And bear this in mind: most people put more thought into precisely what they want in a car than what they want in a dog, yet they will swap cars every 5-6 years, whereas a dog will last upwards of 13 years!

That’s highly illogical

Decide if you want to go through a shelter or a city/county kennel.

Shelters are sometimes able to foster their dogs, meaning you would be able to see the dogs in a normal home environment, or at the very least, not terrified and acting contrary to their nature in a kennel. (Let’s face it, those places can be very scary.) Remember, those aren’t other dogs or pack member in those kennels…those are other predators. They don’t know those other dogs, and haven’t bonded with them. Think about how you’d be acting on your first day if you were sent to prison. Yeah.

Good times were had by all

Understand that dogs currently residing in shelters are only exhibiting a fraction of their true personalities. Just like humans, some dogs adjust to these situations a little easier than others. Things to look for:

Dogs who come to the front of the cage may be less fearful in general, but again this is a unique situation. If someone were to judge my disposition based solely on watching me drive across the Valley View Bridge, well….let’s just say it wouldn’t be accurate.

Dogs who calmly come up to you in a slightly submissive fashion (ears slightly down, body in a slight letter “S” rather than an ultra-submissive or ultra-hyper fashion. Dogs with wiggle-butts are great (looking at you pitties!).

Dogs who have been there for a amount of time I consider the “sweet spot”. A dog who just comes into the shelter is going to be traumatized (What is this place? What’s all this noise? Who are these people?!). Let them have an adjustment period of a day or two. After a bit, they’ll know that, while the kennel is scary, it’s not mind-blowingly terrifying anymore. You’re more apt to get a read on their real personality.

But remember what being in a cage for a while can do to a dog. Dogs who have been there a while can get cabin fever. This is not a natural state for the dogs, but remember, they’ve been isolated and scared for a while now. It takes a toll on the psyche. Yes, these dogs can indeed still make great pets, but be realistic: this will be a forever dog, not the dog you adopt because he’s been there so looooong! Stick to your “shopping list”.

Ask the employees, but don’t be persuaded into taking a dog. A good kennel worker will indeed get attached to the animals. They can give you great information on which dogs may be best for your situation. Unfortunately, that attachment may cause them to inadvertently try to talk you into a dog. If you’re not “feeling” that dog, move on. Remember, you brought your list of wants and needs. Share it with the workers and let them know you are indeed sticking to the list.

Here’s cage No. 666. This guy is my favorite. Don’t let him fool you, he’ll be fine once you get him home.

Unfortunately, there is no magical formula for adopting a dog from a kennel. If there were, odds are kennel wouldn’t be needed anymore because every dog would fit into their new home perfectly. Go with your gut. Make a rational decision, not an impulsive one. And then take the necessary steps to make the transition from kennel to home as smooth as possible. Keep them as best friends forever.

Yeah, yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn’t stop to think if they should.

– Dr Ian Malcom; Jurassic Park

Breathe much?

Three and a half years ago, something amazing happened at the Crufts dog show: the Best of Breed winning Pekingese and Bulldog and were both sent home the first day, eliminating them from competition. They were found by vets on site to be so grossly distorted through selective breeding that it was determined they were not able to have lives as normal, healthy dogs.

Many dog lovers pumped their fists in the air in triumph. As a society, we’ve finally started to accept perfection is a stupid endeavour, and that beauty comes in many forms. Women no longer cram themselves into corsets. Models have freckles, and can have three square meals a day! How wonderful!

Dogs, on the other hand, are still being genetically manipulated in a macabre Dr. Moreau fashion. Not being able to breathe takes second place to an adorable smooshed-in face. Back problems aren’t a breeders problem, so breed ‘em long and low. It’s sick and grotesque. And the AKC is celebrating these deformities!

I’ve long maintained that the AKC is a culprit in over-population (AKC doesn’t follow up to make sure that the dogs you’ve registered aren’t participating in a puppy mill. Just pay the fee, and you’re good to go with your registered purebred!). The AKC is also aiding and abetting in what can only be described as Frankenstein-eque practices. Giving awards to those who can most grotesquely twist a dog’s features like origami.

For example, the bulldog. As a breed, you’d be hard-pressed to find a dog more impishly lovable. A sweet, stubborn disposition. All trapped in a body that can’t procreate without medical intervention. That alone should tell you something is wrong. The fact that an animal who has been so twisted by breeders that they can’t even give birth safely, but can still win an award for the best conformation, tells you everything that is sick and twisted in dog shows.

The Science of Dogs blog recently did an article giving examples of how various dogs have changed in 100 years of selective breeding. Over the course of one hundred years, dogs who were athletic, healthy breeds have become sick, gasping ghosts of themselves. Compared side-to-side, one couldn’t be blamed for mistakenly thinking these dogs had been exposed to a high level of radiation and mutated.

Obviously not all breeders are to blame. Some breeders take a look at a specific breed and say to themselves, “I love that dog! But I bet I can make it healthier, better, happier!”. To those breeders, thank you! You are maintaining the standard of lovely dogs I hope we never lose! To the other, more selfish, revolting “breeders”: learn to love dogs.

Take a look below and you’ll see some pretty drastic differences in dogs in just 100 years.

Time to put an end to these disgusting practices. Time for the AKC to stand up for true breed standards.

Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment, all you have is all you need.

- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Brittany Graham Photography

So you’ve done your research and done a good job of it. I’ve made an educated decision about which dog you’d like to adopt, and there he sits in the backseat of your car, on your way home. You’ve got the the dog food, the vet appointment is set up, and perhaps you’ve even made an appointment with a dog trainer to get off on the right paw foot.

So now what do you do?

Here’s a step by step on how to acclimate your dog to their new home. It’s all about stages and not overwhelming a dog at any point.

1) On the way home, in the car, give your new family member plenty of time to sniff you. Give him a positive (a tiny reward or at least some praise and petting) every time. What you are doing is linking your smell to a positive. You’re a good thing. That will translate later when he’s in a house that smells like, well, you.

Scent is a very important thing for humans. We bond through scent. We cradle babies by our armpits so they can smell us and be relaxed. We hug for the same reason – sharing scent. How often has a crying baby been brought in to snuggle with mom, and then, without nursing or anything, instantly falls asleep? They smell mom and feel soothed.

Brittany Graham Photography

For a dog, nothing smells safer than pack. Pack is like a security blanket, and the bigger that blanket is, the better it smells. You are the dog’s new pack. Familiarize him with the scent as much as you can. Providing a lot of positive combined with your scent makes it a very comforting thing for new pooch needs.

2) Take your dog immediately into a quite, secluded area of the house. If you’ve set a crate up for them, put them in the crate and just quietly hang out by them for a while, again, equating your scent with the safety of the crate. The crate isn’t a bad thing, it’s their “bedroom”. A place that is safe and entirely theirs. Allow them to become familiar with it immediately.

3) Give frequent potty breaks. A lot of shelters will say that a dog is housebroken because the dog never messed in their cage. While they aren’t lying, the dog may not be housebroken. A lot of dogs will not eliminate in their cage or crate. Start off on the right foot immediately by following the basic rules for housebreaking, outlined here.

Don’t get upset if your dog marks in the house. This can be quite normal for the first day. A lot of dogs will do it once or twice, and then never do it again. They are merely adding their own scent to the house, often as a way to self soothe.

4) Put yourself in the Pilot position. I say over and over again that Piloting is a huge piggy bank, and whomever has the most money wins the position. Start adding money to your bank immediately, before your dog has any chance to add money to their bank. Don’t allow them to jump on you. Don’t allow them to demand your attention (a dog version of “may I please be pet” should always be expected). Start answering their questions now. They’re going to want to know the rules of the house, so be kind enough to give them the answers. Some answers are “yes” and some are “no”. Read here to find out how to give it to them.

5) Take them for a (calm) walk. No, not in the Metroparks, or downtown. Try your backyard. Somewhere that still sorta smells like pack, but will still require a leash (yes, even if your yard is fenced in). You are adding even more money to your Piloting piggy bank. If you need some help with leash walking, read this series on how to do it without drama. Remember to praise and reward for any potty activity that takes place outside.

6) Put your dog on a leash and walk them around your house, allowing them to sniff and smell. They are familiarizing themselves with the area, and it feels safer to explore if their Pilot/New Best Friend is doing it with them. Remember, though, a lot of dogs have never been acclimated to living in a house. Some may not know the rules. They’re dogs not humans, so be prepared for some crazy behavior, such as jumping on tables or counters to investigate, etc. You have them on a leash so you can easily answer their question, which is, “Is this acceptable?” Um….no, Fido. Not in the slightest.

Do not allow your dog full run of the house immediately. Start with small areas, and has your trust in them grows, go ahead and add areas of freedom for them. Baby gates are integral for this.

Brittany Graham Photography

7) Bedtime. Ah…this can be the hard part. You’ve set yourself up as Pilot, your dog is (mostly) acclimated to the house. But now comes the scary part…being alone all night. If you want your dog to sleep in bed with you, go for it. There’s nothing wrong with that. However, if the dog is to sleep elsewhere, you have to help them prep for this. The worst thing you can do is try to pop the pup in the cage for the night without any prep work.

You are going to do a crash course in separation anxiety. The first time he’s alone in his crate shouldn’t be for 8 hours while you’re (trying) to sleep. Put him in the crate for five minutes, leave the room, come back and let him out. Now try for 15 minutes. You are creating normalcy out of being alone in the crate. Pop him in and out of the crate all day, focusing on longer and longer periods of time. Think of it as dress rehearsal for the big show. Trust me, you’ll thank me for this when it’s bed time. For a more detailed description on separation anxiety, read this article.

Wash, rinse repeat. Some dogs take 5 minutes to feel comfortable in new home. Other take a little longer. Take your time. Don’t rush them. They’re worth the wait.